Heat turns attention back to the Furious Five

Lamar Odom is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers. That means once again the Heat’s biggest improvement from last year has to come among the Furious Five — center Jermaine O’Neal, forwards Michael Beasley and Dorell Wright, and guards Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook.

They’re the group that has been working out furiously at AmericanAirlines Arena since the season ended.

What’s the best a Heat fan can hope for among that group? Good health. But history says that’s not realistic. So, No. 1, hope O’Neal stays healthy. He’s the biggest difference-maker. He solidifies the middle, provides a low-post offense option, anchors the defense and lends a veteran presence.

Chalmers' development is a big key to the season

After that you have to hope Chalmers improves as a starting point guard. He, too, solves a lot of problems. Chalmers combines with Dwyane Wade to give the Heat lots of steals and a truly disruptive dimension. If Chalmers becomes an offensive threat and plays better fundamental defense he’ll shove his way to the top of the backcourt in his draft class, a group that includes Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and O.J. Mayo, among others.

Among the reserves — Beasley, Wright and Cook — improvement is critical, of course, but not as critical as it is with O’Neal and Chalmers, the starters.

Still, their depth is essential. Beasley is the backup power forward (although O’Neal might have to play there at some point). His offensive skills are so good he’s established himself as the second-best scorer on the team behind Wade and ahead of O’Neal. He’ll be an even better scorer next season. But if his rebounding and defense improve, watch out, he’ll be a much better player.

Cook is the three-point threat, and could develop into one of the best in the league. He has to stay healthy. Wright (you’ll recall the days he defended Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson) is up there with Wade and Yakhouba Diawara as the Heat’s best perimeter defender. Any meaningful contribution after missing all but six games last season would qualify Wright as the Heat’s free agent addition.

Remember, the Heat finished with 43 wins last season, and 13 of those 15 players are under contract. In other words, it’s the same guys coming back.

The Furious Five is a dynamic, game-changing, perhaps even season-changing group. Their development — either as players who can help the Heat on the court, or as players who can help the Heat through a trade — is the key to the season.